About 178 million Americans have lost at least one permanent tooth, and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. The older you get, the more likely you are to need a reliable answer for tooth loss – and Dr. McNew & Dr. Stein have the solution. Today’s dentures are more comfortable than ever, and many patients are able to get the most out of life whenever they eat, speak, or smile. Call McNew Dental today to learn more about the process of getting dentures from our Rockwall, TX dentist.
Why Choose McNew Dental for Dentures?
Dentist with Over 30 Years of Experience
Friendly Team Members That Have Been on Staff for Over 15 Years
Lifelike Prosthetics Custom-Made For Every Patient
What are Dentures?
When Dr. McNew suggests getting dentures, she could be referring to full dentures, partial dentures, or implant-supported dentures:
Full dentures consist of an entire arch of false teeth that have been attached to a gum colored base. They sit on the gums and can be held in place by suction or an adhesive.
Partial dentures need to be uniquely designed so that they can replace teeth in specific areas of the mouth. This type of restoration has a metal framework and is attached to the teeth by a clasp.
Implant-supported dentures are non-removable dentures that are supported and retained by implants.
Dental Implant-Retained Dentures
Whenever possible, we’d recommend getting dentures that have been attached to implants. As useful as regular dentures can be, they only replace the crowns of your teeth. Dental implants, however, will act as new tooth roots. Whenever you bite or chew, the implants will stimulate the jaw, keeping it healthy reducing the risk of bone loss later in life. Furthermore, the posts will hold your dentures in place and allow you to successfully chew all your favorite foods again.
Snap-On Smile
Are you having trouble imagining what your new smile will look like? We can give you a trial denture called a Snap-On Smile that you can wear until your permanent restoration is ready. Not only will this let you enjoy an enhanced grin far sooner than you might have otherwise, but it also gives you a chance to get used to the shape and function of a new arch of teeth. A Snap-On Smile can also be used before a full arch of crowns is placed.
Benefits of Dentures
If you have missing teeth, you know from experience how difficult it can be to perform everyday tasks like eating and speaking. Not only can this affect your overall quality of life, but it can negatively impact your self-esteem. Fortunately, replacing the gaps in your smile with dentures will allow you to smile with full confidence once again! To learn more about the benefits of dentures, simply keep reading.
Psychological Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of full dentures is having a complete row of teeth to eat and speak with again. Living without teeth can be extremely challenging and may severely lower your self-esteem, but getting dentures can change that. They’ll help you stop worrying about the way you look when you talk or laugh.
Clearer Enunciation
Tooth loss can make it challenging to speak. You likely find it difficult to pronounce and perform certain words since your lips and tongue need to be positioned properly. If you can’t touch your tongue to your teeth, you may find it hard to say things clearly. Because dentures are meant to replace your natural teeth, they allow you to enunciate more clearly while speaking. Once you get past the adjustment period, you will be able to speak normally once again.
Improves Nutrition
In addition to affecting your appearance, tooth loss can affect your diet. Chewing certain vegetables, fruits, and proteins may be difficult. As such, you might experience problems like indigestion and malnutrition. Dentures will improve your ability to chew, allowing you to have a more expansive diet full of nutritious foods.
Preserves Oral Health
Your remaining teeth may begin to shift out of place to fill in the gaps in your smile. If left untreated, it can lead to further tooth loss and jawbone resorption. Luckily, these complications can be avoided by getting dentures to help support their positions. In addition, dentures can bear some of the weight of regular chewing, reducing the wear and tear of the existing teeth.
Your new teeth will also support your facial muscles, helping you maintain a more youthful appearance. In terms of maintenance, full dentures can easily be removed, letting you clean them very quickly and thoroughly.
Expands Opportunity
Believe it or not, your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. It’s understandable that you’d want to make a good impression when it comes to job interviews, social events, and first dates. Having an attractive smile will go a long way in these situations! By getting dentures, you can improve both your oral health and career opportunities in the long run.
Understanding the Cost of Dentures
Your financial situation should never stand in the way of replacing your lost teeth. Many factors affect the cost of dentures, but your dentist at McNew Dental strives to keep a complete smile within everyone's budget. You won't have to compromise on quality or aesthetics when investing in a new set of teeth.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dentures
No two mouths are identical, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all denture. The amount you'll pay is determined by your individualized treatment plan. While every case differs, you can expect your estimate to include:
Preliminary Treatments: It's not unusual to need a little prep work before getting dentures, like periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, or bone grafting.
The Number of Teeth and Arches: The more teeth you replace, the more you can expect to pay. Treating both the top and bottom will also cost more than just getting dentures for one arch.
Type of Denture: There are more options than ever before to replace missing teeth. The type you choose will affect the overall cost.
Materials: Discounted materials May save money initially, but they can be of low quality, so you may need replacements sooner.
Your denture dentist will help you make the best decisions for your smile while keeping your budget in mind.
Are Implant Dentures More Expensive?
It's true, you may pay more for dental implants initially than traditional dentures, but they are the most cost-effective. Dental implants are proven to last for 30 years or longer and have over a 95% success rate. As a result, you'll never have to budget for replacements to save money down the road. Not to mention, dental implants are the only solution to stop bone loss to preserve your facial shape and oral health to lower your overall dental expenses. The benefits of an implant-supported denture are truly priceless.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
Dental insurance can be used to cover a portion of the cost. Depending on your policy and situation, your benefits may partially pay for your consultation and any preliminary treatments. Dentures are considered a major procedure, so they are covered about 50% after meeting your annual deductible. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to help maximize your annual coverage to lower the amount you'll pay out-of-pocket.
Other Options for Making Dentures Affordable
The cost of replacing missing teeth doesn't have to drain your bank account. We will review all your payment options to restore a beautiful smile without it costing you an arm or a leg, like:
Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
In-House Dental Plan: You can benefit from discounted services by joining our in-house savings plan.
Monthly Payments: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses with monthly installments. Based on your credit approval, you can enjoy little or no interest in financing through a third-party company, like CareCredit.
Dentures Aftercare
What kind of care should you give your smile after you start wearing dentures? Obviously, you need to continue taking care of your gums and any remaining teeth, and you should always schedule a preventive checkup at our office once every six months. And of course, there’s the matter of the dentures themselves; it’s important to make sure that you’re giving them proper maintenance so that they can last as long as possible. Below are some critical steps for denture care.
Removable Dentures
Remove After Eating
One of the advantages of wearing dentures is getting to eat many different kinds of foods. But no matter what your meals look like, you should always remove your dentures afterward so that you can rinse off any bits of food that might be left behind. It might seem like a small thing, but rinsing your dentures regularly can prevent plaque and tartar from building up.
Be careful not to rinse using hot water. Dentures tend to warp easily, so you should avoid exposing them to high temperatures.
Clean Your Restoration
If your dentures are removable, then they need to be taken out of your mouth to be cleaned. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush along with nonabrasive cleaning material, such as mild dish soap or unscented hand soap. (Make sure to rinse your denture off thoroughly to ensure that the cleaning material is completely gone before you put the restoration back in your mouth.)
Sometimes you might not be planning to wear your dentures again right away once you’re done cleaning. If that’s the case, leave them in a denture-cleansing solution to prevent them from drying out.
Keep Your Dentures Safe
The last thing you want is to need to replace your dentures early because they were broken in an accident. Be careful with your replacement teeth at all times. There’s always a risk of dropping them by mistake, so before you remove them, make sure that there’s something soft for them to land on, like a towel.
Since it’s ill-advised to wear your dentures 24/7, you need to make sure you have a safe place to keep them. In particular, you should put them somewhere where they can’t be reached by young children or any pets you might have.
Remove Dentures When You Sleep
The best time to take your dentures out is right before bed. While you’re sleeping, your gums will have a chance to recover from the pressure they were exposed to during the day. Keep your dentures in a soaking solution; they need to stay moist to keep their shape.
Notice Changes
Any concerning changes involving your dentures or the tissues under them should be brought to your dentist’s attention immediately. Changes that you should watch out for include:
Irritated gums.
Persistent mouth sores.
Damaged dentures.
Shifting or clicking of dentures.
Infection symptoms.
Dentures FAQs
Are you considering replacing missing teeth with dentures in Rockwall? With these restorations, you’ll be able to enjoy the function and look of your full smile again! Although you may be aware of the benefits of this treatment, you might also want to know more about what you should expect from your results. That’s why our team at McNew Dental has compiled and answered several frequently asked questions we get about dentures. Keep reading or reach out to our office if you’d like to learn more today!
Is It Hard to Talk with Dentures?
One of the common challenges most patients experience with their restorations is learning to speak clearly again. Your mouth will need time to grow accustomed to your new teeth. However, this adjustment period doesn’t typically last long, as your dentures will be custom-designed to fit your exact smile specifications. This means your restoration should be well-fitted and feel as natural as possible. But if you do notice that they’re easily shifting out of place when you talk, try to bite down and swallow to ensure there’s no excess saliva. If this doesn’t address the issue, then you may need to visit us for adjustments.
What Can’t You Eat with Dentures?
Dentures can improve your chewing power significantly if you’ve previously struggled with tooth loss. That said, you may have to avoid certain kinds of foods while wearing your restorations. Hard or crunchy meals like nuts and chips can require excessive chewing, which can place too much pressure on your new teeth. Sticky foods such as gummy candy or peanut butter can accidentally tug and shift your dentures out of position. You’ll also have to be careful with tougher meals like steak. If you do try to enjoy this kind of food, be sure to cut it into tiny pieces to go easier on your restorations.
Should I Have All My Teeth Pulled to Get Dentures?
We’ll want to make sure to preserve as much of your natural teeth as possible. This may not be possible for some patients, such as someone struggling with a tooth that’s severely damaged or decayed. When keeping it isn’t a viable option, then we may need to extract it instead. Before considering these possibilities, you’ll first undergo an initial consultation and thorough examination so that we can determine how best to treat and restore your dental health.
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
Though it’s possible to sleep with your dentures, we don’t recommend it. Taking them out before you go to bed will allow your gums a chance to relax as well as prevent irritation in your soft oral tissue. Having your dentures on for extended periods can also increase your risk of gum and tongue plaque, which can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infections. This is also a good time to soak your restorations in a glass of lukewarm water or cleaning solution overnight, that way they remain bacteria-free.
